为什么
wèi shén me
Definitions
- 1. why?
- 2. for what reason?
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Usage notes
Common mistakes
为什么 can be followed directly by a verb phrase (e.g., 为什么去?), while 怎么 is used for "how" or sometimes "why" in surprised reactions, often followed by a whole clause (e.g., 你怎么没去?).
Example Sentences
5 shown你 为什么 不去？
Why aren't you going?
你 为什么 生气？
Why are you angry?
你究竟 为什么 不来？
Why on earth didn't you come?
你当初 为什么 学习中文？
Why did you start learning Chinese in the first place?
我纳闷儿他 为什么 没来。
I wonder why he didn't come.
AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.